Our monthly column from Roger Crookes, the garden expert at Pugh's Garden Centre, gives you all the tips and tricks to make your garden bloom.
I can remember the day well, in the early 1970’s; I was about 11 or 12 years old and always keen for a few extra pence of pocket money, so when Dad said I could earn myself 50p if I wanted to dig the vegetable garden over I leapt at the chance!Something happened as I started digging, and savoured that rare sense of achievement as I turned over the soil, and a few weeks I later saw the little veg seedlings bursting out of the soil. 50 years later I still stand amazed each spring when I see dry and dead-looking seeds send fresh green shoots through the soil!
I now delight in encouraging youngsters in schools to ‘have a grow’, and smile as I see them get as excited as I did … it is a unique part of being human – our ability to cultivate … and now, as we race through spring, is the time for us all to get growing in our gardens … or patios, or even just a simple window box if you do not have a garden.
April is a great time to start growing some vegetable seeds or plants if you want to be picking fresh home grown tasty veg this summer. You can get started with easy stuff like lettuce, Radish, spring onions, cabbage and broccoli in April. You’ve probably missed the boat for potatoes (there has been a huge demand this season for seed spuds – you will need to try earlier next year, they are normally in Pughs Garden Centres from January to march).
But the great news is that tasty treats such as outdoor Cherry Tomatoes and Sweet Corn don’t go in until late May – so you have plenty of time for them.
As ever the answer is in the soil, so remember to add as much compost or well rotted manure to your soil as soon as possible so that it has a chance to start improving the conditions ready for when you plant out your little horticultural hopefuls.
Come on let’s have a grow! Now is the time, don’t miss your chance; and in a month or 2 you could be enjoying the taste of success.
Got a question for Roger?
Please email your question to the Pugh's team at feedback@pughsgardencentre.co.uk and we can try our best to help you and your gardens flourish! Make sure to check next month's edition to see the published answers. Happy Growing!
